Never before have there been so many cool, low cost ways to get the word out. And, never before has it been more confusing. With the dizzying array of traditional and non-traditional options and a Social Media landscape that seems to change monthly, it’s hard not to be confused. Yet, you’ve got two choices: figure it out, or be beaten by the competition who has.

John’s recent NY Business XPO talk at the Javits Center provides an overview of the key things that everyone needs to know to market effectively today, and tomorrow. Right click to download.

For info on John’s Marketing Therapy program to help small businesses market themselves with maximum effectiveness, click here.

(Guest post from Maureen McKeown. Creds below)
 
With all this talk about GM not understanding social media because they dissed Facebook’s new ad platform, I wouldn’t say GM doesn’t get Facebook as much as I’d say Facebook doesn’t get advertising. I know this is a bold statement. But I say it with 25 years of ad experience including working on GM’s social media campaigns when they started up at Big Fuel, as well as working for Facebook on a once “top secret” ad-unit reinvention project in 2010 well before the new timeline.

My thoughts on GM

GM was certainly forward thinking enough to jump on the social media bandwagon early. They were appreciative of their custom Facebook pages filled with content and promotions they could link too from all media channels. (more…)

A recent article makes an important point that shouldn’t be missed amongst the Social Media fanfare. It points out that “Millennials (ages 16-34) are more likely to explore brands in social media than non-Millennials (35-74)” Duh. What’s so revealing though are the surprising numbers. Only 17 percent of Non-Millennials are more likely to buy a brand if it has a Facebook page, according to the research. But, the number is only 33% with Millennials. Combine those numbers and you get a surprising stat: 75% of consumers (16-74) are no more likely to buy a brand if it has a Facebook page. With all the Facebook/SM hype I’d never have guessed that.

Did you update your Facebook Biz Timeline? Here’s the new look: http://tinyurl.com/7bjs6bo

This story recently appeared in Insider Advertising. Truly, a wake-up call. So, if you have a business and haven’t invested the time and resources toward maximizing your Facebook (and online) business presence, today would be a good day to start doing that. If you’d like help and direction, call 203-569-7515. Or, visit Marketing Therapy.

As 2011 saw Online Marketing move into the #2 spot as Most Influential Media, Social Media continues to be the focus of conversion among business owners and marketing managers. At the same time the topic remains surrounded by confusion. This interview helps clarify it.

With all the buzz about Social Media you’d think the entire nation was using it. Not according to a Jun 16, 2011 Pew Research Report. Based on the report, out of 100 American adults less than half (just 46) use any social network. 42 of those 46 use Facebook, 13 use MySpace, 8 use LinkedIn, and just 5 out of 100 use Twitter.